Thursday, July 31, 2008

I loved the hair. These guys wore it so well! The jeans. Well, My. Lord. There are really no words for those. Obviously there is more money going into videos these days. Some of them are comical. And, to be honest, I got totally sucked in and not all of these are ballads. Some are just so darned entertaining on some sick level. lol Enjoy. Oh, and good-bye Heather. I know you won't stick around for this one! lol

This first one is White Lion - When the children cry. A WONDERFUL song!

My brother played this song for me in, I believe '85. He was planning to break up with Carol, a girl we all totally adored to go out with Lisa!!! Oh, come on! Big mistake! I hit him with a pillow. More than once.

Every Rose Has Its Thorn. When I first turned this one on I thought it was

a girl laying on the bed as the camera was scanning ... down. I was thinking, oh, my. They won't. They totally won't. Ahhh! Oh, good. It's a guy.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

This is sort of like a meme, except that no one tagged me and I'm just going to share what I want, when I want. No pressure.

I'm going to tell you something totally useless about me, and then tell you about something that I learned this week.

Useless "crap":

1. When I put a new toilet paper roll on, the paper MUST roll out from the top. Technically, this isn't just when I put one on. I will change the ones that my family put on wrong (there IS a wrong way to do this, people). It's also very likely that I will take the time to do it when I'm at your house. Just so you know. So if you like it rolling from the bottom, feel free to change it back once I leave.

Stuff to fill your sponge:

1. Acid, like in pop, (Oh, come on! What did you think?) makes the enamel on your teeth soft. No worries. It will harden again. HOWEVER, if you brush your teeth before the enamel hardens again, you will brush off a layer of precious enamel from your teeth! This means if you have binged, and now you're feeling guilty about it and want a fresh, guilt-free mouth, you should wait a little while. Did you already know that? Because I just learned it yesterday!

I hope you all enjoyed the tutorial yesterday.

I'm going to have something totally useful and interesting tomorrow! You just wait and see!

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Okay, so first off welcome to today's field trip! I am so excited!!! If you have come over to check things out here in Canada, but have no interest in photography, I have done a little extra homework for you! If you would prefer to get to know me on a more personal level, this one is good for a laugh, this one will introduce you to my dysfunctional family, and this one will tell you about our sorrows from our personal experience with suicide. I also thought these two were quite witty. lol

If you are here for photography, well then, please, read on. I have told you a little about each one below the picture. It could be about why I took it, how I got the effect, or the camera settings that I used. Enjoy.

Always be on the lookout for a private moment. This was in no way planned. I just happened to be ready for it, and it turned out one of my favorites! The best ones are usually the pictures that are taken AFTER the picture is taken. Does that make sense?

This picture was done using the shutter speed. If you have a point and shoot camera, you should still have a variety of options that are pre-set on your camera. The one you would choose here is the picture of the little running man. If you have a manual camera, chances are you already know how to use it. You select the TV option and from there can increase your shutter speed to approximately 1000 ish so that you can catch someone in action without the movement blur. This depends on your light and whether or not you have a flash. The nice thing with digital is that you can try it a few times and check it to make sure your lighting is good enough. When the shutter speed is really high, it means that it is going to snap that picture so fast that not a whole lot of light is going to get in. If you are not careful, you could miss a really cool sports moment and end up with a black photo. Always try your settings first and adjust accordingly - BEFORE the event starts, but in the same light/general area.

This is one example of my anal-ness. When I take casual pictures, I LOVE pockets. However, in order to keep it from looking like a personal moment between this groom and his hand I make sure the thumb is out. By doing this, we can see that it is his hand resting casually in his pocket instead of us seeing his sleeve and his pants, with nothing in between and no concept of what is REALLY going on. The guys always ask me "What is it with you and thumbs?" because it's always "left hand in your pocket with your thumb out." Well, now you know. The other thing I should point out is that this was my very first wedding. I am now more conscious about avoiding centering their faces and forgetting about everything else. These days I would make sure I brought the whole picture down and gotten his feet in there instead of cutting him off at the ankle. Make the most of the space you have and take note of how much dead space is in the top half of the picture.

Matt & Bradie are going to help me give you an example how not to catch the flash in the lens of the glasses. This is something you have to be very careful with when using your flash. We had Bradie just tip her glasses down slightly. That small adjustment let us see her beautiful eyes instead of bright white glass. This delightful couple is now expecting number 8!! and you can find them at http://themattandbradiebunch.com/ and O'Canadad.com

Tilting the subject is very popular now also. The effect is very nice and gives your picture more of a professional look. When you are doing this, be sure to try it both ways. Usually you will want the subject tilted clockwise, which means turning your camera counter clockwise. Try it both ways and that way you won't be disappointed.

And always leave room for fun! Here I adjusted my aperture because I wanted everything in focus. The aperture setting lets you dictate how much light is going to get in. The higher the aperture, the smaller the window. Just remember opposites. (For a nice headshot, (portrait) you would use a low aperture (4) which brings out the subject by blurring everything in behind. Your point and shoot would be the picture of the ladie's head.) I believe on your point and shoot, it would be the landscape setting? Please correct me if I'm wrong!

There are many different tones you can use for your pictures also. Digital has given us so much room for imagination! I just love it! This one, of course, is black and white.This one is a lighter-toned sepia. It is supposed to be an old-fashioned sort of look. It's usually not a favorite for me, but I do quite like this one.And of course, colour. I did enhance this one to bring out the canola.

And you can never get close enough! I love close-ups!

I did have one other, but for some reason that one won't upload. There will be more photos posted on Saturday, as well as a Q&A session. I will try to have it posted then. If you want to see some more photos, please feel free to visit my photography blog at Picture Perfect Photography. You will find that I am more of a traditional photographer.

Thanks so much for stopping by and thank you to Carrie for letting me be a part of Photography Week. I hope you'll come by and visit again soon!

Monday, July 28, 2008

Perhaps you will remember us. We were there on Friday. You were sitting at the top of a short slide when a cute little blonde in a pink bathing suit (get your head out of the gutter – she’s four!) ran up and plopped down onto her tiny little bum and proceeded down the slide you were supposed to be guarding. The slide you were to stop little people from going down.

You were sitting on your duff watching while my sweet little nutball discovered she could not touch the bottom.

You sat there while her arms flailed and she cried and struggled.

You continued to sit, watching, perhaps the fiasco down in the pool below you, or perhaps some little bikini clad thing walking by, while I ran over and jumped into the pool to save my little girl.

I know. I’m her parent.

I know. I’m responsible for her while I am at your waterslide.

I also know. You didn’t do your job.

I know. You didn’t give a damn.

Does it bother you, Stupid Lazy Lifeguard, that my little nutball was scared to go in the water after that? That my fearless freak of nature didn’t want to go down the waterslides by herself?

Do you care that Liv was up last night having nightmares? That in her tiny little four-year-old-person dream, we didn’t get to her on time?

Just so you know; I hate you, Stupid Lazy Lifeguard. I hate you, and by the way, you’re ugly too.

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Okay, so. The day started out fairly normal. Loud neighbours. They swear at each other. Loudly. It should be comforting knowing that all is still normal in my life. However, add to that the Indy 500 or 5000 or friggin 7, I don't know, and you have FREAKIN LOUD!!! The race is quite a ways away from my house, but still... their warm up at 7:00 woke me from my slumber. It's just wrong. And a little ignorant.

We start by going to Home Depot for Leon. We are shingling our roof and I was sent out for stuff. Men who send women out for house stuff and car parts should be shot. Seriously. I want to send him out to face the tampon isle all by himself just for payback. (Let's watch his face turn red when the sales girl asks HIM for the diameter!)

After that I take my two girls for a drive. I wanted to see if our local waterslides were open, but I didn't want to tell them where we were going, just in case. I haven't been there myself since I was a kid. Turns out it was $70 for a family of four. (And the same price for the three of us.) The kids are freaking out because they were so delighted and totally excited when they saw the waterslides, and now their mother wanted to pull the water slides from their little grasp. I don't do this often people, but I caved. I felt sick about it, but in we went anyway.

Livvy (see Friday's picture) runs to the first slide, and we're both thinking it was a kid slide. Wrong. I'm walking toward the pool as she is flying down this little slide because I'm just not sure where the bottom is and I wanted to be ready. (Keep in mind I'm still about 30+ feet away!) Hmmm, she can't touch. The loser at the top of the slide didn't stop her from going down. He's sitting at the top of the slide watching as she gasps for breath, arms flailing. He sits. Have I called him a loser yet? I jumped in and saved the little nutball myself. That set the stage for the afternoon. She is now terrified and doesn't want to go on anything. Hmmmm, $70 worth of wading pool.

Now a lifeguard finds me in the above mentioned wading pool with Liv and has my other daughter in tow. Cassie has a huge hunk of wood jammed underneath her thumb nail almost to her cuticle that can't be reached with tweezers. Great. They tell me to head down the road to the Medi-centre. Not gonna happen. They told me they would give me a family pass that we can use another day if we choose to leave.

They didn't need to tell me twice. We were so outa' there! Two screaming kids in tow (actually one was literally under my arm) and off we went. With TWO free family passes. I'm just that good! lol

We spent an hour and a half at my old clinic (it's just so handy!) and the doctor managed to wiggle the enchanted forest out from her nail. My fabulous ex-co-workers were kind enough to babysit Liv so I could go in with Cassie. We came out to see her pretty much covered in stickers and candy. Jane had run to the store to grab popsicles for the girls and a slush for me (See the about me section). I totally love those gals. They are THE ABSOLUTE BEST!

Then back to Home Depot again to rent the nail gun, compressor, get nails, vents etc that I priced out earlier. Home, unload, shower, throw my hair back and run off to my soccer game. We won 3-1!!! Woohooo! Then home to help shingle. It's now almost one in the morning.

I'm tired folks. I'm REALLY tired!

And yet I'm so dedicated to y'all that I have taken the time to tell you about my day. Don't I just amaze and inspire you to no end? lol

Friday, July 25, 2008

I so love this picture! This is Olivia. She's my little nutball! What more can a person say, really? This is actually what her hair looked like for the first two years of her life. Seriously. People would say to me "Can you not gel that down?" I totally loved it! This, of course, is a static problem, not her natural do.

Thanks Carrie for all your hard work in directing people to all of our sites! You're awesome!

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Okay, so to be honest, I have nothing. I have searched through other blogs both randomly and other's favourites. I. Am. Blank. Perhaps I went about this wrong and set myself up for failure? Argh! But, my creative juices have dried up. Completely. I'm going to leave a few runner's up, just because I can't think of anything else. Besides I'm working on a HUGE blog-project for Monday that I'm really excited about! So, that is where my energy must go.

So, the runners up are ....

1. Candid Carrie - For her documentary. Also for her fabulous direction and support on our documentaries every Friday! Kudos!

2. Mama's Losin It - For her creativity. And because she's just plain crazy. Gotta' love that! It was her list of questions for PB that totally won this for her! She's certifiable. Yup.

3. Snowbirds Snowpatrol - Sarah is our winter destination goddess! She is brand new to blogging, so stop by and say hello, would you?

4. Keeping up with yesterday - Because she makes me think. Evi's incredibly creative. What she needs to do is scan in some of her scrapbooking pages for everyone to see. Not only are the pages well done, but her viewpoint when she's snapping her pictures is very unique! Also, it has been many "yesterdays" since she has blogged and she has many "yesterdays" to catch us up on. If you would stop by and encourage her to come back to us here on blogger, that would be great!

5. Can You Be A Part Of My Life - Lauren wins for her newcasts. She tells it like it is, has the knowledge to tell it and shares how she feels about it! I totally love that!

So, make sure you come back tomorrow for Foto Friday and stop in Monday too!

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Okay, so for today, I was torn between two wonderful bloggers. I decided on Angela from The Painted House. WOW! Has this family been through the wringer! Take a look!. So on top of bills from student loans, Clayton gets cancer (Do you "get" cancer? It sounds like a privilege worded like that, doesn't it?), and then her mom has a heart attack. All the while there are kids, laundry, house and regular bills to be tended. I think she is my hero. (I was going to say "heroine" but it just doesn't sound right. Druggies took away a woman's right to be a "Heroine". Jerks.)

All of this, though, I discovered after I totally fell in love with her new kitchen! She is actually an artist, which is how she won the "Artsy Fartsy" award I have the honour of bestowing upon fellow bloggers. Be sure to look through at the different rooms she has designed! She is FABULOUS!

Monday, July 21, 2008

Melissa Lee, come on over and accept your award! You are winning the award for the art of song! I haven't actually heard you sing, but I do honestly believe in my heart of hearts that you can sing. Lordy, girl, can you sing!!

I feel you are one of those people who can have you weeping through a ballad one minute and jumping up and down in the aisles the next. You would seriously FEEL the music and make ME feel it too! I have always loved music myself, but, alas, no one wants to sign me for a recording contract. In fact, while my kids insist I just must try out for the next Canadian Idol, I know they jest, but it's because they love me.

Melissa, by the way, is expecting. She is expecting coupons, and chicken, and maybe some Julio's. She is also expecting. Expecting! Isn't that exciting?? When you stop on over there (I know initially you came from there, anyway, but just humour me here, okay?) let her know that you are thinking of her and praying for her, and if you so choose, that you are sending somethingto her. Just pray for the magazine. If you don't know what I'm talking about, well then read this.

If you need a good laugh, I highly recommend you check out her jaunt through the funhouse. That is the post that got me hooked ... and almost fired. I absolutely could not hold back my laughter!

Now, Melissa, the award is in your hands. If you so choose you may pass it on to five other deserving recipients. Stop by and direct Melissa to your very best musings, photos, music, art, whatever. Oh, and DEFINITELY scrapbooks. She just LOVES scrapbooks! lol

Sunday, July 20, 2008

As promised, our first winner of the Artsy Fartsy award is ...... (drumrolllll) HEATHER from Mindless Junque!!! She is mom to four girls, wife to PB, loving master to gay dog, and one of the creators of the Secret is in the Sauce.

She was one of the first blogs I started stalking. Her mini-series about her early years before PB and how they met and how he swooped her up in the kiss of the century left me and countless others breathless and anxiously awaiting the next part! She almost lost this most prestigious award for complete and utter disregard for our feelings for the times when she would make us wait a WHOLE WEEKEND for the next entry! But really, it wasn't all necessary ... because she had me at PB!

Now, Heather, this award is in your hands. If you so choose, you can award five others! You will most certainly have a tougher time than me, seeing as you know far more bloggers than I do!

Make sure you stop by and congratulate Heather! Let her know if you wish to be nominated as one of her five and direct her to your very best stuff! Good luck!

Saturday, July 19, 2008

I was awarded yesterday with an "Artsy Fartsy" award. (I'm calling it that because I can't actually read what it says on it.) It was shocking to say the least. For those who don't know, I am a photographer in the making.

I'd like to thank my mom for giving me the "shutter" bug. For many years my brothers and I were the victims of her relentless snapping and clicking. I'd like her to know that I forgive her for the trauma. My counsellor says he feels I'm managing well and I'm now ready to face the world.

I'd like to thank my husband for all of his (sniffle, sniffle) support over the years. He has only choked on one camera bill, and has stayed quiet, with only a few big fat tears, at the rest. Now THAT is love.

I'd like to thank my children. They said good-bye to their mother a few years ago. They accepted losing me to the computer while I edit pictures, create DVDs and burn discs. They were my unwilling victims for a time, while I learned how to use my fancy camera.

I'd like to thank Bradie for this incredible honour! I didn't even know I had been nominated! Just for that, and for all of Matt's help with these awesome headers on my sites, I would like to offer you one family sitting, free off charge! Let me know when you are available!

To all my devoted fans (weep) I thank you.

I will be giving this award to five other very deserving people. Stay tuned, as I will give out one per day. This gives you the opportunity to invite me to your best posts. If you want to win this most coveted award, leave comments directing me to your blog!

Thursday, July 17, 2008

This picture is one from the last wedding I photographed. It is such a sweet picture, and reminds me of the song "Dance Little Jean". It's an old country song. It is worthy of a listen if you have never heard it before. It is about a little girl whose mommy and daddy are finally getting married, told by the DJ for the event, who is against marriage. This happy little girl helps him to see marriage differently.

The little girl in this picture is "Abby" and it is indeed her Mommy & Daddy getting married.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

It's called a chef.And a trainer.And a nanny.It's a make-up artist.It's called air-brushing, for crying out loud.It's called mega-bucks, folks.

Is that wrong of me to think that way?

Does that make me a bad person?

Now, don't be thinking that I think it's impossible for the Average Joe to look like this after babies. It's totally possible. I just do NOT like the fact that the media let's OUR HUSBANDS know that it is do-able.That's just downright rude!

While I never quite had those boobs, like, EVER, I did get my body back after my first two. It's after the third that it flew the coop. It's looking pretty permanent at this point. My DH tells me that if I don't like my body, then do something about it. I like to think he wants me to do it so I will be happy with me, not so that he'll be happy with me. But, he's too nice, and too smart to say it. Thank God.

My ass, round and dimpled and dumpy, and not at all the delightful upside-down heart shape it should be or used to be, is a testimony to all the things I've done in my life. Months of growing babies. Long nights of rocking and feeding. Years of sitting on my duff to make money for my family. Hours and hours spent with all of you and my Facebook family.

I would love to be slim again. I would love to wear size six again. But that would take work, people.

So I'm trying to win free stuff from Mama's Losin It. The challenge is to blog using the words she has given us in order to get our name in the draw three times. So, sadly, I couldn't think of anything FABULOUS to amaze you with. I just did my homework, like always, for completion, and not top marks.

Okay, so, get this. I was in the shower the other day, when my greyhound, Fluke, came flying in with my best friend, an epistemology major, on his tail. He was eating her beige thong, and she was NOT IMPRESSED. (She’s a lesbian, so seeing me naked was the highlight of her day, to say the least! LOL) It didn’t phase them even the slightest bit to see that they had invaded myspace. My. Personal. Space.

Okay, so it’s a little lame. Okay. It’s a lot lame. But she didn’t even once say it had to be good!

Friday, July 11, 2008

I was trying to figure out what to write about that would catch the attention of all (3 or 4) of you.

I considered a child birth story.

I tossed around the idea of a love story, like Heather and Carrie. (Would you call Carrie's latest series a love story? Probably not.)

Maybe, then, some of my most embarrassing moments? (Mom, we're not going to let Dad get ahold of this blog entry, are we??) If someone can truly laugh out loud at themselves, then they are surely well adjusted, right?

Nope. However, I shall share anyway.

There were many stupid moments in my life.

1. The time I actually thought I could run over a soccer ball on my bike. You know, like a speed bump. It. Didn't. Work. I fell. It hurt. On the up-side though, my brothers, who kicked the ball at me in the first place, totally got heck over it. I got to watch. When all else fails, make someone else feel even worse. It is very satisfying.

2. How about when I was so totally over the moon for Murray Sparrow that I copied him when he dove into our pool. He dove into the shallow end. It turns out I can't do that. I went straight down. My nose hurt. My pride hurt. I bled. But I think he put his arm around me to lead me over to the chair. That was sweet.

3. That same visit, he asked Matt to go get him some warm salt water. I followed Matt and made a glass for myself. After all, if that fine looking specimen is going to drink this crap, well then, so shall I! I came down the stairs with my glass and proceeded to drink it. I gagged. My nose wrinkled. I think my eyes watered. But through the waterfall, I could see him looking at me like I had grown a third arm right out the top of my head. It turns out that he had an injury on his finger, and he needed to soak it. I. Felt. Stupid.

4. When I was pregnant with my first, they were trying to induce me early, and had me in the hospital for the delightful gelling process. My parents came in to visit. My Dad wandered off as my mom sat by me. He came walking back in with a huge camp-style flashlight and said "Hey, what's this for?" Silence. You could see it register in my Dad's face when he realized what that was for. "Oh." he said. And he slunk quietly away. I'm not sure who was more embarrassed. Him or me.

5. There was one time at a party when .... ummm. Nope. That one is just going to stay in the tomb where it belongs. Never to be brought up again.

6. There would be the time my Dad walked in on me. I was young. I wasn't alone. If it means anything at all, he was truly my first love and while I would delete that one episode if I could live my life over (but Please God don't do anything so rash!) the rest would remain. I can't even allow myself to try to bring any comedy into this. It was just plain awful.

7. The time I got piss-drunk babysitting at 13 and puked all over the place. I had to use my earnings - plus - to pay for the steam cleaning. I was grounded for a long time after that. This stunt led to the discovery of all my not-exactly-properly-purchased items I had socked away in my room. That made things even worse for me. I know. Shocking.

Now you know a little more about me. Do you feel blessed? I have been long-winded for the last few posts. I promise to keep the next ones short and sweet.

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Two years ago today ....My sister-in-law probably had a cup of tea. She probably had absolute faith that she was making the right decision.I'll bet that she was relieved.I'm sure she did it early on, so that no one would disturb her.I'm absolutely CERTAIN that she thought of Buddy, but just couldn't see him through the darkness.Two years ago today ....Buddy came home and was welcomed by Catdog, who was outside in the rain.He saw Shelley's car in the driveway.He knew that she wouldn't leave the cat out in the rain if she was home - and okay.Buddy had the courage to hurry around the house, calling Shelley's name.He knew this wasn't good.He found her.Two years ago today ....A husband cried for his wife.Parents mourned their daughter.Mom came home to the police delivering a shocked and devastated son.I got a phone call.Family gathered.One year ago today ....We tried our best to be what Buddy needed.We gathered as a family.We set balloons free and watched them rise up, up , up to where Shelley could catch them.Maybe she laughed at our silliness.Maybe she cried for our grief.Today ....We won't be able to gather around each other. Perhaps each person will, in their own way, just think of her.Remember one thing about her.Those weird little green tomato pickle things that Gramma loved, and I never did try.The way she just loved to stay and visit. I wish she had stayed longer.The way she held my wee Olivia. And went truckin' up the road with her in her stroller. She loved my other girls too, but it's different when you watch a tummy grow, and get caught up in the excitement of a new baby. When you hold that sweet little thing. You bond. She bonded. I loved that so much.Two years ago we said good-bye to an incredible person. She was warm and loving and had a wonderful laugh. I can still hear it. Today her memoriam readsWhen someone you love becomes a memory,That memory becomes a treasure.But then ... you were a treasure even before you left us.And she was.

VANCOUVER/CKNW(AM980) - Despite being given a show of support by Vancouver 2010 organizers, embattled music manager and CKNW editorialist, Bruce Allen is not out of hot water just yet as the fallout continues from his recent commentary indicating immigrants to Canada should 'fit in,' or 'go home.'

Richmond Liberal MP, Raymond Chan, is set to file an official complaint with the CRTC (Canadian Radio & Television Commission) about Allen's recent 'reality check' alleging the piece was discriminatory. Chan is also demanding an official apology and a retraction of the comments.

It's time we all get behind Bruce Allen, and scrap this Political Correctness business. His comments were anything but racist, but there are far too many overly-sensitive 'New Canadians' that are trying to change everything we hold dear.

For example, our National Anthem: Don't know what your opinions are, but I certainly agree. --- I'm sorry, but after hearing they want to sing the National Anthem in Hindi - enough is enough. Nowhere or at no other time in our nation's history, did they sing it in Italian, Japanese, Polish, Irish (Celtic), German, Portuguese, Greek, or any other language because of immigration. It was written in English, and should be sung word for word the way it was written. The news broadcasts even gave the translation -- not even close.

I am not sorry if this offends anyone, this is MY COUNTRY - IF IT IS YOUR COUNTRY SPEAK UP ---- please pass this along.... I am not against immigration .. Just come through like everyone else... Get a sponsor; get a place to lay your head; get a job; pay your taxes; live by the rules ...AND... LEARN THE LANGUAGE

As all other immigrants have in the past .

And LONG LIVE CANADA!

PART OF THE PROBLEM? Think about this: If you don't want to forward this for fear of offending someone-----YOU'RE PART OF THE PROBLEM !!!!

Will we still be the Country of Choice and still be CANADA if we continue to make the changes forced on us by the people from other countries who have come to live in CANADA because it is the Country of Choice??????

Think about it! IMMIGRANTS, NOT CANADIAN'S, MUST ADAPT.

It is Time for CANADA to Speak up.

If you agree - pass This along.

Rhonda's Thoughts:

I forwarded an email like this not long ago and it started quite the controversy! And I love a good debate.

I whole-heartedly agree with this message.

What other country caters to the customs of their "guests"?

This is not racist. I do not care if you come from Ireland, China or the fine USA.

Don't tell me I can't say Merry Christmas because it might offend someone. It is Christmas, and I do hope you have a merry one. If you choose to wish me "Happy Hanukkah", I won't be offended. If you ask me over for pyrogies for Ukranian Christmas, I would come. And I would eat a lot to show my appreciation. No, really. I totally would.

Don't let someone carry a weapon just because it is his/her custom in "their" country. (That is always the wording, which I find funny in a very not funny sort of way.) If I carry a dagger in my pocket, it would be called "carrying a concealed weapon" and I would likely find myself in front of a judge.

When I am applying for a job, don't ask me if I am a visible minority before you have even looked at my qualifications!!! May the best person win, regardless of gender or race. (I told my husband recently, when he was filling out a job application, to say that yes, he is a visible minority. He is a caucasian male!!)

It's pretty plain and simple, really. If you liked the ways of things so much where you come from, then why did you leave? If you don't like it here, go somewhere else. Don't expect us to molly-coddle you and make you feel at home.

I think multi-culturalism is great. I really do. BUT, multi-culturalism in Canada without the Canadian customs makes US feel discriminated against. How fair is that?

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A little about me....

Okay, first off, I am married to Leon and have three "delightful" daughters and an English Mastiff named Ringo.

You will notice that I have put delightful in quotations. That is because I have a mood-swinging, my-friends-are-smarter-than-you 15 year old, a 12 year old tween, who is just beginning to do everything her older sister does that makes us want to jump off a bridge and put ourselves out of our misery, and a 5 year old who is learning from them both. Thankfully the 5 year old, while ornery, loud, spoiled and a thumb-sucker, still loves us and thinks that we are smarter and way cooler than everyone but the 15 year old.

I photograph weddings whenever I possibly can, work for a fabulous group of pharmacists in one of our local hospitals, for a regular, although not so great, paycheck.

I love to read, play Farkle on Facebook, and have developed a passion for soccer.

I totally suck.

But I love to play. It helps me to not gain weight quite as fast as if I weren't playing it at all.

My life, which route I take, and how fast I wake up in the morning all depends on how badly I want a slurpee and a chocolate bar. If I am registering at "Holy Mother of God! I NEED sugar!" on my gauge, then you would be wise to just get the heck out of my way. I've got places to go (the store), people to see (the local cashier specifically), and sugar to ingest ... PRONTO!